Eunice Kennedy Shriver died last night. She was 88 and had a very full life. There was a lot of tragedy and loss, certainly, but there was a lot of wonder as well. Eunice Kennedy Shriver is credited with creating the Special Olympics. In fact, I read this morning that she held the first “Olympics” in 1962 in her own backyard. Today there are over 3 million athletes participating in Special Olympics. Maggie is one of them.
Originally, the Special Olympics were only for the mentally disabled. The poster child often had Down’s syndrome. Over the years, it has expanded into all sorts of disabilities including physical
disabilities like those that Maggie has. Where else would Maggie ever get the chance to compete in a power wheelchair race and get cheered wildly for taking over 10 minutes to go about 50 feet. The smile on her face was as big as I have ever seen.
Of course, Special Olympics are not without its critics. Many object because it is not inclusive – it separates the disabled form the community. That is true, it does. However, someone needs a reality check. These athletes would be excluded anyway because could not compete with typical kids. They would be last, they would not be picked, and they would be left out…again. Those who object can simply stay away, no one is forcing them to participate or compete. It is all about having fun. It is all about creating fun for kids who do not have enough fun in their lives. If you want to criticize that, go right ahead. I will be over here avoiding your bad karma.
Can you imagine what it took to get Special Olympics off the ground? It took Kennedy determination and dedication and all the financial resources that come with that. In addition, though, Eunice Kennedy Shriver had to change attitudes. She had to convince her own family to share the biggest secret of their lives. She had to convince them to tell the world about their sister Rosemary and her own mental disabilities. Rosemary Kennedy and other disabled individuals born before 1950 were hidden. They lived in institutions, they were not part of society, they were not part of their families, they were not part of our world.
Attitudes have changed in the past generation or so, due in large part to the Special Olympics showing happy kids. Everyone can relate to happy kids, even if they happened to be disabled. Of course, there is a long way to go. I can only hope there is another person like Eunice Kennedy Shriver to lead us into the light and show us all the wonder and life in all children, regardless of abilities.
Originally, the Special Olympics were only for the mentally disabled. The poster child often had Down’s syndrome. Over the years, it has expanded into all sorts of disabilities including physical
disabilities like those that Maggie has. Where else would Maggie ever get the chance to compete in a power wheelchair race and get cheered wildly for taking over 10 minutes to go about 50 feet. The smile on her face was as big as I have ever seen.Of course, Special Olympics are not without its critics. Many object because it is not inclusive – it separates the disabled form the community. That is true, it does. However, someone needs a reality check. These athletes would be excluded anyway because could not compete with typical kids. They would be last, they would not be picked, and they would be left out…again. Those who object can simply stay away, no one is forcing them to participate or compete. It is all about having fun. It is all about creating fun for kids who do not have enough fun in their lives. If you want to criticize that, go right ahead. I will be over here avoiding your bad karma.
Can you imagine what it took to get Special Olympics off the ground? It took Kennedy determination and dedication and all the financial resources that come with that. In addition, though, Eunice Kennedy Shriver had to change attitudes. She had to convince her own family to share the biggest secret of their lives. She had to convince them to tell the world about their sister Rosemary and her own mental disabilities. Rosemary Kennedy and other disabled individuals born before 1950 were hidden. They lived in institutions, they were not part of society, they were not part of their families, they were not part of our world.
Attitudes have changed in the past generation or so, due in large part to the Special Olympics showing happy kids. Everyone can relate to happy kids, even if they happened to be disabled. Of course, there is a long way to go. I can only hope there is another person like Eunice Kennedy Shriver to lead us into the light and show us all the wonder and life in all children, regardless of abilities.
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